Settling into the sigh

of the morning quiet,

alone with the air and the hum of home,

peace descends like a soft mist,

a spider-web blanket of light,

an embrace of spirit wrapping 

all that is --

of which I am but a whisper of breath.

Gratitude dances on the edges of my heart,

softening the piercings of everyday sorrows.

This life is a gift

'tis true,

but its end...

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Stay away from polarization

if you can,

move towards harmonization  

as often as possible.

Let each note have a turn

blending into the whole,

let each droplet of creation

have a chance to dance.

Stay away from "either, or"

if you can,

move towards "both, and"

as often as possible.

Balanced on the rope 

of our conflictual tendencies,

look for that sparkling...

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I thought you were against me

until I opened my arms wide

and felt your heart

beating like a frightened bird

fallen from its nest.

I thought you were my enemy

until I opened my eyes wide

and saw you were as a child

lost in the wilderness.

I thought you were evil

until I opened my ears wide 

and heard you crying in the night for all you had lost.

Oh what peace de...

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I noticed her eyes

one morning

when we were chatting

in the parking lot,

they were beautiful blue orbs

magnified by the lens

of her thick glasses.

She shared thoughts that became words that became vibrant energetic dancing particles in the sunlit early morning air.

We became close friends,

she taught me so many things.

Her body could not keep up with her brilliant, lo...

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Do you truly believe

all matter vibrates with life,

even the stillest rock?

Do you truly believe

all beings have agency,

even the most lost of brethren?

If so, my dear, if so,

then stop trying to be

the driver of creation,

stop trying to be

the mover of mountains,

just be--

loving presence,

merciful caring,

just be.

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Soon I shall be leaving

this I know without a doubt.

It's simply a matter of counting the years

that reveals the certain ending of this span.

How precious is each moment when the final chapter appears on the seen horizon!

How simple everything becomes when the last line of the story approaches with indisputable certainty!

And so I smile and hug and laugh and contemplate...

all...

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Step out of time

and stop worrying.

We count the numbers and the days--

how much...how long...

when will this get better...

why can't I fix this...

what should I do...

step out of time

and stop worrying,

step into kairos time,

let time dance like a dervish,

let well-being flow like water,

let eternity wash away your fears.

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Little girl

sitting on mama's lap

clapping their hands together,

girl hand on top of mama hand,

clap, clap, clap,

a soothing game,

girl happy.

Old lady

sitting quietly in chair

rubbing her wrinkled hands together,

gentle touching one hand to the other,

rub, rub, rub,

soothing ritual,

lady happy.

We clap, we touch, we dance, we laugh,

young to old,

ha...

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Mom didn't believe 

in over-scheduling.

She was an organized, productive lady

but she always said

we kids needed time

in the summer

to watch the ants walk by

towards their little dirt homes.

Yeah, mom was wise.

So now, I am old

and mom is gone,

and I say,

what's on the calendar today?

Nada?

Okay, let's go look at the ants, darlin',

let's go sit

and w...

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I opened my hand

and let water droplets

slide through my fingers.

I opened my hand

and let go

of the tightly-gripped rope.

I opened my hand

and stirred up the still air.

Letting loose of those chains,

letting go of the reins,

I opened my hand

and stepped into paradise.

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Air, fresh

Water, hot, cold

Steps, slow

Go deeply

into that sacred place

of sorrow,

go deeply

into that sacred place

of stillness,

wait for joy,

patiently.

What heals?

time--

listen to the quiet voice

listen to the questioning voice

What heals?

go deeply

into that sacred place.

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I am in deep grief

I am in wild frenzy

Is this the feared gnashing of teeth,

the hell realm where fires rage?

I am in peaceful float

I am a star afar

Is this the opening door of peace,

the heaven realm where angels sing?

Oh these paths we travel,

up and down and all around,

oh these tumultuous rides and sleepy sighs,

we know not the ending nor the beginning,

but...

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Lying in my darkest night,

an orb of light appeared hovering in the corner,

then opened like a soft soap bubble 

popping in the whispered breeze.

And from this mysterious beckoned circle,

emerged an angelic being of luminescent color,

she smiled and reached with the gentlest touch,

and soothed my rising tide of fear and loss.

I knew then in this moment of darkest night --

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It was a sacred conversation

in hushed tones

between two ladies wearing aprons

working in the kitchen.

They shared stories

of their loved ones

who suffered with maladies 

that so readily

visit on this planet

of challenges and woes.

It was a sacred conversation

between two mothers,

and in the words

and in the frowns

came small smiles--

a parting of the c...

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Buddha and Jesus and Muhammad and Moses

sat down for a cup of tea

sitting on a celestial cloud

high up in those blue skies

far beyond our line of vision.

The plants greeted them with laughter

and the birds sang their mightiest songs of joy

at this meeting of great minds and wide hearts.

This fellowship of wisdom

discussed their travels

to lands across the planet,

a...

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Sorrow settles deep within our hearts

when all the world appears to be falling apart

where is the solace

where is the joy

when troubles follow each other

like rocks in avalanche over the cliff

one after the other

we watch the falling and the crashing 

unable to help

unable to stop the relentless fall into oblivion.

So what then?

Do we rise like the majestic phoenix

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My dreams

arrive in brightly colored hues,

gift-wrapped

with golden ribbons.

My dreams tell me stories

of what has been

and what may be.

My dreams are kind,

soothing me when I slumber,

my ancestors come a-visitin',

soft cotton voices

and gentle smiles.

Good night my dreams,

morning is nigh.

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Let's play hopscotch,

let's grab some chalk

and draw some squares

on the sidewalk,

one piled on top of the other,

straight lines and simple boxes,

find a rock and let our lithe limbs start hopping,

one foot at a time,

up and down,

merrily we go.

I am old now

and can only do this

in my imagination

but it seems like a wonderful thing to do,

better than tryin...

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